Tuition Assistance

Philosophy

Green Meadow is committed to providing assistance, within its resources, to qualified students desiring a Waldorf education and in need of financial support. The school is also committed to providing assistance to help create socioeconomic diversity within our community. Approximately one third of our students are on some tuition assistance.

Assistance, in the form of tuition reduction, is granted on the basis of need which is determined by comparing the income and resources of applicants against their assets and liabilities. We expect that parents applying will first assess their financial status and will turn to other sources before asking Green Meadow for assistance. Please note that while our aim is to assure the possibility of Waldorf education for all our students, our ability to do so is limited, and parents must be prepared to shoulder the majority of their tuition obligation.

The primary responsibility for financing a student's independent school education rests with his or her family. As a result, the school is not in a financial position to support lifestyle choices that have a negative impact on a family's ability to pay tuition. We expect all parents to contribute honestly toward tuition, including seeking employment in order to help defray school costs.

The Committee

The Tuition Assistance Committee is a committee of the Advisory Board. Its membership, composed of faculty, staff, current parents and alumni parents, is kept confidential. The criteria for membership include knowledge of financial matters, the capacity for objective decision making and a willingness to uphold the philosophy of the School’s Tuition Assistance program.

The Budget

The Tuition Assistance budget is limited to approximately 10% of the net tuition income for the school year in which it will be awarded.

Guidelines

Families with a minimum tuition obligation (before tuition assistance) of $20,000 are eligible to apply for tuition assistance. New families are eligible to apply upon acceptance. Mid-year acceptances will be considered if funds remain.

Applications must be on time. Late applications will be reviewed when the process for timely applications has been completed. Any remaining funds will then be awarded to qualified late applicants.

It is not possible for the Tuition Assistance Committee to become involved in any financial arrangements between parents. Non-custodial parents must contribute financial documentation to the Tuition Assistance Committee.

Both parents are expected to contribute income if there are no pre-school children at home.

Families with outstanding tuition arrears may apply. They may receive an award and contracts. However, Green Meadow reserves the right to cancel contracts for families whose arrears remain unpaid at the beginning of the school year for which the award was granted.

Procedure

Following notification of tuition rates for the upcoming school year, families wishing to apply for tuition assistance must request a Tuition Assistance Application on the Enrollment Card, which comes in the Re-Enrollment packet. New families may call the Business Office to request an application.

The application should be thoroughly completed, returned on time and accompanied by the following financial documentation for both parents–

A cover letter outlining reason for request and any unusual circumstance not evident in the financial documents or application

Signed copies of all pages and schedules of the previous year’s Federal, State and City tax returns for both parents (If unavailable, contact the Business Office)

Transcripts of tax returns for two years previous to the most recent (available from the IRS)

All W-2 and/or 1099 and/or Business tax returns

Copies of two most recent pay stubs for each parent

Application Fee and Enrollment Deposit(s)

Committee Process

A Committee member will review the file and present it with a recommendation to the full Committee at their next meeting. A Committee member connected by personal relationship with an applicant family will recuse him/herself.

After review, discussion, clarification and comparison to similar family situations, the committee will vote on the amount of the award. In some cases the committee will send the file back to the Business Office with requests for further information or clarification.

The Business Office will send families written notification of the Committee’s decision along with tuition contracts reflecting that decision.

The Tuition Assistance Committee makes regular reports to the School Administrator and the Advisory Board.

Appeals

If no assistance is granted, or the award you receive is less than you require to enroll, you may write a letter of appeal to the TA Committee. This letter should outline any expenses or financial obligations which were omitted from your original application. Your application is carefully reviewed so this letter should explain why the amount awarded was insufficient. It must also include how much more assistance you need in order to make it possible for you to enroll or remain at the school. The possibility of appeals depends of availability of funds.